Ten prisoners handed longer sentences after trouble at HMP Hewell

A GROUP of ten prisoners have had more than 40 years added to their existing sentences after taking part in disorder at HMP Hewell.

The trouble began around 5.15pm on July 22, 2017, when a number of inmates refused to return to their cells, complaining about their living conditions and a recently introduced smoking ban.

They started being verbally aggressive and then a pool table and table tennis table were tipped over.

Prisoners threw pool balls and chairs at staff causing them to leave due to levels of violence being shown towards them.

While staff were away, cell doors and fire alarms were damaged, glass windows were smashed and door handles were broken off by prisoners.

Several prisoners removed water pipes from washing machines, which caused the wing to flood, and 18 CCTV cameras were damaged.

A number of staff were also injured during the disorder.

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused and the area of the prison where the incident took place had to be closed down resulting in inmates being moved to other jails across the country with only a small group remaining at the Tardebigge prison.

Eleven prisoners had previously pleaded guilty to participating in a prison mutiny and ten of the group were sentenced on Friday.

Calvin Gill, 23, Christopher Edwards, 32, and Shay Taylor, 23, all received five years extensions while Kieran Ballard, 29, was handed an extra four years and four months.

Sam Brown, 33 was sentenced to three years, two months more and Liam Fields, 30, Thomas Rogers, 25, Rumia Delgado, 31, and Keiko Marshall, 23, were all handed three years, four months extensions.

Zac Dillon, 25, was given an extra five years, four months and Grant Samed, 32, will be sentenced on 12 February.

Two defendants – Matthew Armstrong and Timothy Murphy – initially denied being involved in the disorder but following a nine-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court earlier this month, they were found guilty of participating in a prison mutiny.

Armstrong, 28, will be sentenced on February 5, while Murphy, 24, will be sentenced on February 7.

All the prisoners’ sentences will run consecutively to their current jail terms.

Det Con Phil Shadwell led the investigation into the disorder.

He said: “Violence inside a prison will not be tolerated and assaults on members of the emergency services or those working in the public sector will never be acceptable.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in this investigation. It has been a long and complex one, but their hard work has ensured a group of prisoners will be justly punished for their actions.

“I hope these sentences send a clear message that we will do everything we can to thoroughly investigate incidents such as these and in doing so, ensure offenders are brought to justice.

“I also hope those thinking of taking part in such a disorder in the future will think twice before doing so and can expect lengthy sentences should they decide to participate.”

Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said: “The behaviour of these prisoners was completely unacceptable and has rightly been met with the full force of the law.

“I want to ensure prisons are places of stability where offenders can turn their lives around, and I thank our hardworking staff and colleagues at West Mercia Police who have helped to bring these men to justice.”

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